Elizabeth Burks

The agenda for the Community Advisory Committee meeting included several key items. The committee planned to approve previous meeting minutes and adopt the 2026 Annual Meeting Calendar from the Consent Calendar. Discussions included receiving an update on the Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) status and its 2028-2031 Business Plan, providing input on the draft 2026 RCEA Policy Platform updates, and seeking specific recommendations for utilizing the $250,000 Community Investment Fund provided by EDPR from the Sandrini Battery Storage Project, to be allocated between Humboldt and Kern Counties for workforce development or community investments. Member reports covered requests for information on Board responses to recommendations and costs associated with developing wave and tidal energy resources.

This document outlines the Redwood Coast Energy Authority's (RCEA) 2026 Policy Platform, serving as a guide for regulatory and legislative engagement. Its strategic direction is centered on developing and implementing sustainable energy initiatives, reducing energy demand, increasing efficiency, and advancing clean, renewable resources. Key priorities include upholding local governance and statutory authority, restructuring the electricity utility sector, enhancing grid reliability, fostering community resilience, supporting climate action, promoting local renewable energy generation, ensuring environmental justice and equity, and protecting RCEA's autonomy in administering energy programs.

The Board of Directors meeting addressed several items under the Consent Calendar, including the approval of Task Order Services through December 2026 with Northern Rural Energy Network Implementing Partners, which required separate approval votes for specific partners after one item was pulled for clarification. The Board also approved the cancellation of the December 22, 2025, regular meeting. Under Old Business, the Board voted to accept the 2026 nuclear allocation from the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, constituting a short-term exception to the Energy Risk Management Policy prohibiting nuclear power procurement. New Business involved approving the Flycatcher Local Distributed Energy Resources Energy Storage Services Agreements with California Condor, LLC, approving the inclusion of Yolo County in the Northern Rural Energy Network 2028-2031 Business Plan, and authorizing steps to pursue a joint pre-payment of a Power Purchase Agreement advisory service with Desert Community Energy. The meeting concluded with a presentation on the RCEA Brand Awareness Survey results, which indicated low general awareness but high regard among those aware of RCEA, emphasizing customer priorities of reliability and lower cost.

The meeting covered several key administrative and informational items, including a review of the meeting agenda and goals, and the adoption of the 2026 Community Advisory Committee Annual Meeting Calendar. The Executive Director provided an update on renewable energy incentives, the cancellation of a port development grant, and future engagement in federal lobbying. Key discussions included providing input on the draft 2026 RCEA Policy Platform updates, which involved substantive changes to policy priorities such as local governance, utility restructuring, and environmental justice. Additionally, the committee received an informational update on the Northern Rural Energy Network (NREN) rollout, which is preparing a 2028-2031 Business Plan Application. Finally, input was sought from the Committee regarding the allocation and use of the $250,000 Community Investment Fund derived from the Sandrini Battery Energy Storage System agreement with EDPR, focusing on workforce development, education, and community investments.

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority Board of Directors meeting included reports from member entities and discussions on old and new business. Old business included CADEMO Central California Offshore Wind Project Loan Term Modifications, where the board authorized an ad hoc subcommittee to approve revised loan terms. New business involved the Hatchery Road Solar and Storage Power Purchase Agreement, with discussions on project costs, reliability, and local power inclusion. The Executive Director reported on community outreach, the Power Cost Indifference Adjustment, and the Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty project. The board also convened in closed session for legal counsel, real property negotiations, and a public employee performance evaluation.